Description: Mouth subterminal, variation in mouth-shape, including chisel-mouthed forms; lips extremely variable; 2 pairs of barbels; males and females develop small tubercles on top and side of head and on anal fin rays (Ref. 52193, 75045).Dorsal fin with 4 spines and 8-10 soft rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; no ossified last simple dorsal-fin ray, flexible and height extremely variable, even within one population; dorsal fin in front of origin of pelvic fins (Ref. 52193, 75045). Scales large; scales in lateral line 27-33, 12 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Colour varies with water clarity from pale olive to bright golden brown (Ref. 52193). Juveniles silvery with dark blotches (Ref. 52193).